ICC threaten to withhold Kenyan development cash

The International Cricket Council is threatening to withhold a £300,000 grant to the Kenyan Cricket Association, unless a fully-fledged national league is approved.

The formation of a competitive league is part of a joint initiative between the ICC and the KCA, and is an essential part of Kenya's bid for full Test status by 2005. But the process has been hampered by the KCA's ongoing squabble with the Nairobi Provincial Cricket Association over the running of the 12-team league, which is scheduled to start on June 29.

"There is little hope for the advancement to Test cricket if the stake-holders of Nairobi cricket cannot even agree on a club competition," warned Andrew Eade, the ICC's head of global development. "Should the club season be indefinitely delayed, there is every chance that the ICC will cancel the joint initiative before it commences."

In his inaugural speech at Lord's last week, the new president of the ICC, Ehsan Mani, had warned that Kenya would face a major struggle to earn Test status.